Mixed cell diagnostic systems for detection of respiratory, herpes and enteric viruses

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to the field of diagnostic microbiology, and, more particularly; to compositions and methods for detecting and differentiating one or more viruses or other intracellular parasites present in a specimen. The present invention also provides compositions and methods to evaluate the susceptibility of organisms to antimicrobial agents.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for the detection of herpes virus in a sample, comprising:
 a) inoculating a mixed cell culture comprising at least MRC-5 cells and CV-1 cells with a sample suspected of containing herpes virus to produce an inoculated culture, 
 b) contacting said inoculated culture with an antibody that specifically binds to an antigen of said herpes virus, and 
 c) detecting binding of said antibody to said antigen, thereby detecting the presence of said herpes virus in said inoculated culture. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said herpes virus is selected from the group consisting of Herpes Simplex Type 1, Herpes Simplex Type 2, Cytomegalovirus, Varicella-Zoster Virus, Epstein-Barr Virus, Human Herpes Virus 6, Human Herpes Virus 7, and Human Herpes Virus 8. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody comprises a fluorescent label. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antibody is monoclonal.